Tangents and Vectors

An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Monday, February 8, 2016

The Dangers of an Isolated Verse

(Proverbs 8:15 KJV) By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

This verse is a good one for showing us the danger of proof texting. Proof texting in one sense is a legitimate pursuit of truth. In this sense you are looking for texts that prove a point of doctrine or teaching. It is valuable when done without an agenda and for people of good will doing honest research.

Unfortunately it doesn’t usually work out that way. The term has become a description of a method of finding the truth you are looking for at the cost of real truth. In this form of “research” the “scholar” will take one verse that says what they want and make it the basis for all kinds of applications that are alien to its context and intended meaning. To do good proof texting requires ignoring the clear teaching of large sweeps of scripture. Thus if you were trying to justify your political position as dictator you can simply read this and silence the opposition.

So? Be careful when you try to base a big statement on a little verse. The key words above are “good will” and “honest”. You may fool some people but God is not that gullible.

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Followers

Bible Text

I prefer the NASB for my study but I will be using the KJV as the text I post. I do this because I do not understand the copyright restrictions. If I ever get a better grasp of the law I may change the text I list. We may be under grace rather than law, but others are not so free. My comments will try to make it clear what the differences are.

Greek and Hebrew

In the comments there will be reference to words and the original languages. Number in parenthesis, (1235), refer to the number from Strong's Numbering system.

An Invitation

The theme of this blog is devotional, worshipful, Biblical. I have a lot of ideas that won't fit in that frame so I have started another blog. It is called Medley of Worship.

You are invited to visit me there. It includes Bible and theology but also politics, education and anything else that comes to my mind.

About Me

I have been a serious follower of Jesus Christ since my senior year in high school. I am a Vietnam Veteran who came home more patriotic than I left. I am a graduate of Nazarene Theological Seminary and an ordained elder although I an not currently serving in a pastoral position. I have what I consider an orthodox faith set in the context of Wesley and Arminius. I share this so you will know where I am coming from as I look at the word.